SDCC 2010: Alleged HALL H Stabbing Delays Hollywood Panels

By Michael Doran July 24, 2010 09:00pm ET

A reported fight over a seat that ended in a stabbing temporarily stopped the massive Hollywood presentations in Comic-Con International: San Diego's Hall H dead in their tracks Saturday afternoon, as police were called in to respond to the incident, shutting down the Hall in the process.

According to varied reports, including nbcsandiego.com, a fight between two con-goers led to one being stabbed either in the eye or the side of the eye socket with a pen or pencil. The victim was reportedly led out of the hall on a stretcher and taken for medical attention.

According to a San Diego police sergeant interviewed by Neontommy.com, the injuries were unknown but described as "non-life threatening and somewhat minor."

The same police sergeant confirmed one arrest had been made, with a male suspect taken into police custody and led out of the San Diego Convention Center in handcuffs.

Followed by a staff photographer for nbcsandiego.com and asked why he did it, the suspect replied that he had been provoked.

"Because the guy attacked me first," he told nbcsandiego.com. "He told me he wanted to take me outside and I told him I did not want to fight. He stomped on my leg and then I attacked him back. I am very sorry."

Accounts vary, but the incident apparently occurred during the Screen Gems “Resident Evil: Afterlife” panel between 4pm and 4:45pm PST, or right before the 4:45 to 5:45pm PST Universal Studios’ “Paul” and “Cowboys & Aliens” panel. The incident delayed the start of the Universal panel as con attendees in the Hall during the incident were not allowed to leave as police investigated, and attendees waiting in line for the Universal panel were not allowed in.

Fans sequestered in the Hall were reportedly shown movie trailers while investigation took place.

The incident also delayed the start of Marvel Studios' “Captain America and Thor” panel by approximately 45 minutes.